Ratcheting magazine assembly

Abstract

A ratcheting magazine for a firearm includes a main body, a floor plate, and an insert disposed inside the main body. The insert includes a front column of supports, a rear column of supports, and a sliding column of supports. The sliding column of supports includes a plurality of positions relative to the insert such that the sliding column of supports moves linearly relative to the insert.

That which is claimed is: 
     
       1. A magazine for a firearm comprising:
 a main body comprising an upper end and a lower end; 
 a first opening at the upper end of the main body such that cartridges exit the magazine through the first opening; 
 a floor plate at the lower end of the main body; 
 a second opening such that cartridges enter the magazine through the second opening; and 
 an insert disposed inside the main body, wherein: 
 the insert comprises a front column of supports, a rear column of supports, and a sliding column of supports. 
 
     
     
       2. The magazine of  claim 1 , wherein the sliding column of supports comprises a plurality of positions relative to the insert such that the sliding column of supports moves relative to the insert. 
     
     
       3. The magazine of  claim 1 , wherein the second opening is disposed at the lower end of the main body. 
     
     
       4. The magazine of  claim 1 , wherein the second opening is disposed in the floor plate. 
     
     
       5. The magazine of  claim 1 , wherein the insert is a separate component from the main body. 
     
     
       6. The magazine of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of arms adjacent to the second opening, wherein the plurality of arms restrict movement of cartridges out of the magazine. 
     
     
       7. The magazine of  claim 1 , wherein each of the supports of the front column of supports, the rear column of supports, and the sliding column of supports comprises a deployed position and a retracted position. 
     
     
       8. The magazine of  claim 1 , further comprising a rotating actuator that is mechanically linked to the movement of the sliding column. 
     
     
       9. The magazine of  claim 8 , wherein the rotating actuator comprises a hole for a mechanical connection between the rotating actuator and the sliding column. 
     
     
       10. The magazine of  claim 8 , wherein the rotating actuator comprises a protrusion extending upward from the magazine. 
     
     
       11. The magazine of  claim 10 , wherein the protrusion of the rotating actuator is configured to interface with a bolt carrier group when the magazine is inserted into the firearm. 
     
     
       12. The magazine of  claim 11 , wherein movement of the protrusion of the rotating actuator from a rear position to a front position causes the sliding column to move from a lowermost position to an uppermost position. 
     
     
       13. A magazine for a firearm comprising:
 a main body; 
 a floor plate; and 
 a portion disposed inside the main body, wherein: 
 the portion comprises at least one static support and at least one sliding support; 
 the at least one sliding support comprises a plurality of positions relative to the portion such that the at least one sliding support moves relative to the portion; 
 each of the at least one static support comprises a deployed position and a retracted position; and 
 each of the at least one sliding support comprises a deployed position and a retracted position. 
 
     
     
       14. The magazine of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a first opening adjacent to an upper end of the main body such that cartridges exit the magazine through the first opening; and 
 a second opening separate from the first opening such that cartridges enter the magazine through the second opening. 
 
     
     
       15. The magazine of  claim 14 , wherein the second opening is disposed at the lower end of the main body. 
     
     
       16. The magazine of  claim 14 , wherein the second opening is disposed in the floor plate. 
     
     
       17. The magazine of  claim 14 , further comprising a plurality of arms adjacent to the second opening, wherein the plurality of arms restrict movement of cartridges out of the magazine. 
     
     
       18. The magazine of  claim 13 , wherein the portion is a separate component from the main body. 
     
     
       19. The magazine of  claim 13 , further comprising an actuator that is mechanically linked to the movement of the at least one sliding support. 
     
     
       20. A magazine for a firearm comprising:
 a main body; 
 a floor plate; 
 a portion disposed inside the main body; 
 a first opening adjacent to an upper end of the main body such that cartridges exit the magazine through the first opening; and 
 a second opening separate from the first opening such that cartridges enter the magazine through the second opening, wherein: 
 the portion comprises at least one static support and at least one sliding support; and 
 the second opening is disposed in the floor plate.